Myths, legends and ancient history -- Greeks, Parthians and Persians -- Arabs, Islam and Persians -- Turks and Mongols -- Persian empire again -- Disintegration and reunification -- The dilemma of reform and modernization -- The revolution for law -- Modern arbitrary rule -- Occupation, oil nationalization and dictatorship -- The white revolution -- The revolution of February 1979 -- The Islamic republic -- Iran after Khomeini.